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"Missed UTI diagnosis"

About: Albany Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

I had 4 visits in total to the emergency department recently for my kids, 3 of which were in 36 hours for my toddler, I was repeatedly told time and time again that my child just had a virus, and to soldier on. When I said on the 3rd visit this is not a virus I was then asked, well what do I think it is then? I responded with I don't know but my child is not right, they were incredibly lethargic, tachycardic and had fevers of 39.9. Again the dr insisted it was just a virus and not once on any of those 3 presentations were paediatrics called to come do a review.

I visited my GP clinic the next day for a second opinion and it was found my toddler child didn't have a virus, in fact they actually had a UTI and required antibiotics immediately. To say I'm disappointed that I was not taken seriously at the ED is an understatement, but unfortunately this is not the first issue I have had with the emergency department at the Albany health Campus in the last 18 months. I believe one doctor in particular, has also insinuated in multiple discharge summaries of my children, that I'm a paranoid parent, I feel they also have a very rude bedside manner. In my opinion, the Albany Health Campus really needs a full time paediatrician in the emergency department, with the amount of paediatric patients that present there I honestly don't understand why there isn't one, or if we can't get one at least up skill the current Doctors on the correct procedure to be followed in accordance with guidelines, because speaking from experience I feel they are definitely not followed!

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Responses

Response from Paul Mark, Director Medical Services, Albany Health Campus, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) 6 months ago
Paul Mark
Director Medical Services, Albany Health Campus,
WA Country Health Service (WACHS)
Submitted on 6/10/2023 at 6:18 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 9/10/2023 at 9:44 AM


picture of Paul Mark

Dear tigerze44

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion and I am very sorry to hear that you felt our staff did not sufficiently listen to you despite repeatedly presenting to the Emergency Department with your unwell toddler.

I would like to reassure you that all of our Senior Doctors in ED have appropriate and high level training in managing paediatric patients. A significant proportion of emergency medicine training focuses on paediatrics. In addition there is a team of Paediatric Physicians on the Health Campus who we do regularly refer to if we have concerns and they are available 24 hours a day.

If you would like me to personally review your child’s presentations or the doctor you have concerns about from previous years please contact me via the feedback team on 9892 2299 or via email at ahc.feedback@health.wa.gov.au.

Yours sincerely

Dr Paul Mark | Director Medical Services

WA Country Health Service – Albany Health Campus

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by tigerze44 (a parent/guardian)

I have tried to organise to have a meeting with you to discuss these issues, however I have still not had a phone call returned to me.

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